The Clínica Alemana Breast Center, created a decade ago, treats around 150 cases of breast cancer annually. Most of the patients have benign conditions, such as fibroadenomas, fibrocystic changes, papilomas and cyclical mastalgia. Nevertheless, malignant breast tumors are an important part of The Center's activity because of its high incidence and seriousness. Furthermore, the eastern sector of Santiago has the highest death rates in Chile for this condition.

The Breast Center uses a multidisciplinary medical team including mastologists (specialized surgeons and gynecologists), radiologists, pathologists, radiotherapists, medical oncologists, plastic surgeons and nuclear medicine specialists, as well as medical technologists, kinesiologists (for rehabilitation and prevention) psychologists, and a genetics counselor, expert in analyzing the risk of suffering from cancer and determining the steps to be taken to diminish said risk. 

Dr. Eduardo Cunill, head of The Breast Center, notes, "we have a large number of professionals that collaborate in the integrated management of breast disease.  We meet every Wednesday to share information, to coordinate our activities, and to analyze our cases".

Dr. Eduardo Cunill, Head of the Breast Center

Diagnosis
The Breast Center has the technology needed for accurate diagnoses, including state of the art digital mammography, breast ultra-sound scans, breast magnetic nuclear resonance, minimally-invasive (core and mammotome biopsies) and radiosurgical biopsies. The Center uses the Suros-ATEC System, created to perform 8G vacuum-assisted breast biopsies- guided by different imaging methods- for diagnosis.  This method, requiring only a few minutes, allows ambulatory removal of small nodules using ultra-sound. Thus, it is recommended as an alternative to open surgery for benign cases.

Treatment
The Breast Center has a team of specialized professionals for the therapeutic management of these illnesses, using surgery as well as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and rehabilitation.